Assessment RubricIdentifying Foundation Grant Opportunities: Foundation Directory Online

Skills Beginner Intermediate Advanced

1. Familiarity with Foundation Directory Online interface and search parameters

Identifies types of information contained in Foundation Directory Online; can access the Directory home page and help page

Understands the definitions and limitations of five primary search parameters; accesses the 990 search screen

Understands the definitions and limitations of five primary search parameters and indices; understands the parameters found on the 990 search screen; understands how foundation type influences grant activity

2. Ability to conduct a search using five primary search parameters

Uses 1-2 search parameters to identify potential foundation funders; identifies funders based on name of foundation and geographic location

Uses 3-4 search parameters to identify potential foundation funders; identifies funders based on name, location, and type of foundation; sometimes uses indices to fill search parameters

Regularly uses 4-5 search parameters to identify potential foundation funders; identifies funders based on total assets, total giving, and EIN; often uses indices to fill search parameters

3. Ability to refine basic search results

Sorts results in ascending or descending order, and alphabetically

Sorts results based on total giving and total assets; refines search results based on geographic location and type of foundation

Sorts results based on total giving and total assets; refines search results using indices; accesses prior searches to narrow or expand search results; use search results to access a foundation’s 990 tax form for further information

4. Ability to evaluate suitability of potential funders using foundation profile pages

Identifies a foundation’s purpose, activities and fields of interest; identifies foundation contact information; assesses accuracy of information based on date of last update

Evaluates whether a foundation’s activities and interests match with funding need; understands basic financial data and knows definitions of grant related terminology

Evaluates suitability of foundation based on activities, interests, and financial data; understands how financial data relates to a foundation’s grant making activities; interprets data on 990 tax forms to evaluate suitability of foundation